Honestly, the Kansas City Chiefs vs Raiders 2024 series was supposed to be a blowout on paper. You had the defending champs, rolling toward another ring, facing a Vegas squad that was essentially held together by Maxx Crosby’s sheer willpower and some promising rookie flashes. But if you actually watched these games, you know it was anything but predictable. Rivalry games in the AFC West usually ignore the standings, and 2024 was a prime example of that chaos.
It started in late October.
The Chiefs rolled into Allegiant Stadium on October 27, 2024, sitting at a perfect 6-0. Most of us expected a "get-right" game for Patrick Mahomes, who hadn't quite been putting up those video-game numbers we're used to. Instead, we got a gritty, defensive slugfest that felt much closer than the 27-20 final score suggests.
The October Grind: Mahomes, Kelce, and the Red Zone Wall
The first meeting was basically the "Travis Kelce is back" show. Before this game, people were actually questioning if the legendary tight end had lost a step. He silenced that real quick by hauling in 10 catches for 90 yards and his first touchdown of the season. It wasn't flashy, but it was surgical.
But look at the Raiders' side. Gardner Minshew actually played out of his mind for stretches, finishing 24 of 30 for 209 yards and two scores. The Raiders actually led 10-7 in the second quarter after a Jakobi Meyers touchdown and a long Daniel Carlson field goal. They weren't just hanging around; they were punching back.
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Why the Raiders Couldn't Close the Deal
Vegas had two golden opportunities in the second half that'll haunt them.
- They took over at the Chiefs' 28-yard line after a turnover but settled for a field goal.
- They had an interception return that set them up at the 3-yard line. The Chiefs' defense stood them up. Four plays, zero yards, no points.
That goal-line stand changed everything. Kansas City followed it up with a soul-crushing 19-play drive that took nearly 10 minutes off the clock. By the time Xavier Worthy caught a 9-yard TD in the fourth, the Raiders were gassed.
The Black Friday Heartbreak at Arrowhead
Fast forward to November 29, 2024. The first-ever Black Friday game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. This one was even weirder.
The Chiefs won 19-17, but man, they tried to give it away. Mahomes threw for 306 yards, but the offense was allergic to the end zone, going 1-for-5 in the red zone. They had to rely on fill-in kicker Matt Wright, who nailed four field goals.
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The Raiders, sitting at a miserable 2-10 at the time, played like it was the Super Bowl. Aidan O'Connell was back under center after Minshew broke his collarbone, and he actually looked great. He found rookie sensation Brock Bowers—who is absolutely the real deal—for a 33-yard touchdown that made the stadium go silent. Then he hit Tre Tucker for a 58-yard bomb to take the lead in the fourth.
The Snap Heard 'Round the World
With 15 seconds left, the Raiders were at the Chiefs' 32-yard line. They were well within range for Daniel Carlson to win it. Instead of spiking it or playing it safe, they tried to squeeze in one more play. Disaster struck.
Center Jackson Powers-Johnson snapped the ball before O'Connell was ready. The ball bounced off the QB's hands, the Chiefs recovered, and just like that, the Raiders were officially eliminated from the playoffs while the Chiefs clinched their 10th straight postseason berth.
Talk about a gut-punch.
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Key Performances You Might Have Missed
- Brock Bowers (TE, Raiders): In the November game, he had 10 catches for 140 yards. As a rookie. Against a Steve Spagnuolo defense. That just doesn't happen.
- Maxx Crosby (DE, Raiders): The "Condor" was everywhere. He played every single defensive snap (67 of them) in the Black Friday game. He ended the season with a streak of nearly 400 consecutive snaps.
- Kareem Hunt (RB, Chiefs): With Isiah Pacheco out for much of the year, Hunt was the physical engine. He wasn't efficient (2.8 yards per carry in October), but he got the tough yards that kept drives alive.
What This Means for the Future
The Kansas City Chiefs vs Raiders 2024 matchups proved that the gap between these teams isn't as wide as the records say, but the "clutch gene" is very real. The Chiefs won their 14th consecutive one-possession game during that Black Friday thriller. They know how to win ugly. The Raiders, meanwhile, showed they have the pieces—Bowers, Crosby, a resurgent secondary—but they are still missing the discipline and the "quarterback of the future" to actually finish the job.
If you're looking at the 2025 season, expect these games to stay close. Vegas has found a way to make Mahomes look human, even if they can't always stop him from winning.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following this rivalry, keep an eye on these specific trends for next time:
- Watch the Red Zone Efficiency: The Chiefs' defense in the red zone is their true MVP. If the Raiders can't convert 7s instead of 3s, they won't beat KC.
- The Brock Bowers Factor: He is now the focal point of the Vegas offense. Expect the Chiefs to start double-teaming him like they do with top-tier WRs.
- Turnover Margin: In both 2024 games, the Raiders had chances to win but were undone by a single late-game mistake.
The 2024 season didn't provide a Raiders upset like the 2023 Christmas Day game, but it cemented the fact that no matter how good the Chiefs are, the Raiders will always make them sweat for it.